The purposes of the Athenæum and the Historical Institute are closely related, both aiming to encourage intellectual progress, and many writers of prominence belong to both societies. The Athenæum has been called upon to mourn the loss of some of its most distinguished members within the past few years, among them Don Carlos German Amezaga, a poet of rare genius and culture, who was its vice-president at the time of his death, in 1907. He belonged to a family of noted talent, his father, Don Mariano Amezaga, having been a philosopher and writer of great ability. The secretary of the Athenæum, Don Francisco Garcia Calderon y Rey, and the assistant secretary, Don José de la Riva-Agüero y Osma, also inherit their literary genius, their surnames indicating their distinguished descent. Don José Santos Chocano has attained an honored place among the literary lights of Europe, and the Athenæum is justly proud of his success. Don Luis Fernan Cisneros, Don Teobaldo Elias Corpancho, Don Carlos Larrabure y Correa, Don Clemente Palma, Don Aurelio Arnao, and Don José Augusto de Izcué are among the poets whose verses are a credit to the Athenæum. Don José Izcué writes history as well as poetry. As Director-general of Public Instruction in the _ministerio_ of Dr. Jorge Polar, he was identified with the inauguration of the Historical Institute, and especially with the establishment of the museum, being appointed director of the department devoted to the colonial and republican collection. His historical works are chiefly studies of the republican period. [Illustration: THE CHARMER. BY ABELARDO ALVAREZ CALDERON.]